Last week, human rights advocate our CEO Anne Basham spoke at Mississippi Secretary of State Watson’s Businesses Against Trafficking (BAT) Summit. The event underscored the crucial role businesses can play in identifying and addressing exploitative systems, a role that remains largely underutilized. The BAT program serves as an effective initiative to change this dynamic by engaging businesses in the fight against human trafficking.
BAT is a pioneering state initiative that Ms. Basham was first introduced to several years ago by then Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs. Secretary Hughs was instrumental in launching the program and setting a precedent for other states to follow. Since its inception, leaders such as Secretary Watson (MS), Secretary Tre Hargett (TN), Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and Attorney General Ashley Moody have continued to advance this initiative, encouraging businesses to take an active role in combating trafficking.A common misconception is that human trafficking affects only a small percentage of individuals. However, this belief stems from the fact that trafficking remains one of the most under-reported human rights violations worldwide. Children, in particular, often do not recognize that they are being exploited until they reach adulthood.
Statistics reveal the urgency of this issue. More than 99% of trafficking victims remain unidentified, emphasizing the need for widespread training, especially among businesses that operate on the frontlines. With nearly 50% of all residents in most states employed by small businesses, there is a vast, untapped workforce that could be mobilized to "see the unseen" and help prevent trafficking.
Businesses also occupy a unique position to identify child trafficking victims who are not in school. According to a U.S. Department of Justice report from last year, the average age of U.S. child labor trafficking victims is just 14 years old. Many of these children are found in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, food service, and domestic work, sectors where businesses have direct interactions. Training employees to recognize and respond to signs of exploitation is a critical step in dismantling trafficking networks.
Public-private partnerships like BAT offer a powerful mechanism to drive meaningful change. By engaging businesses and equipping them with the necessary tools, the program helps uncover hidden victims and provides opportunities for intervention.
For those interested in joining a BAT program or helping to establish one in their state, please contact us. Expanding these initiatives nationwide could significantly strengthen efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.